Battle of Addis Ababa: NFF hails President GEJ

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR has again received a thunderous applause from the Nigeria Football Federation for his unquantifiable support for the country’s football.

Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, NFF President Aminu Maigari eulogized President Jonathan for his special interest in the Nigeria game, and his fatherly love that has seen the Federal Government more than ever
committed to adequate preparation of all the various National Teams for international competitions, followed by ample reward of excellence.

“We are not surprised by our President’s decision to ensure heavy
presence of Nigerian supporters in Addis Ababa for the match. This is simply another demonstration of President Jonathan’s fatherly love for, and keen interest in, Nigeria football.

“We can go back over the years and recount so many things that our President had done to underscore this special interest and love. We adore him,” Maigari stated, while also applauding the co-operation and
understanding of the Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi at all times. African champions Nigeria take on Ethiopia’s Walya Antelopes in a 2014 FIFA World Cup final elimination fixture first leg in Addis Ababa on Sunday, with President Jonathan having approved that a crowd of supporters travel there to cheer the Super Eagles to victory.

It can be easily recalled that President Jonathan has always shown keen interest in the affairs of the various National Teams. In June 2010, the President stormed the hotel of the Super Eagles in Johannesburg, on the eve of their first match of the FIFA World Cup finals against Argentina, alongside President of the Senate,
Distinguished Senator David Mark (GCON), business titan Otunba Mike Adenuga Jnr and several other top government functionaries.

The President also paid a surprise visit to the Super Eagles’ training session in Abuja ahead of their 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final qualifying fixture, first leg in Liberia, and only missed the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations final in Johannesburg as a result of an unscheduled visit to Europe. He was represented at that occasion by Distinguished Senator Mark. President Jonathan is also on record to have rewarded all categories of the National Teams, with the Super Falcons, Falconets and Flamingos having earned reward for impressive outings at global championships, and the Flying Eagles and Golden Eaglets also smiling after continental outings this year.

Earlier in the year, after winning the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time in 19 years, Super Eagles’ players and officials were rewarded with national awards, cash and land gifts.